Championship promotion-chasers Leeds United held on to beat Plymouth Argyle despite a late fightback by the visitors.
Wales international forward Dan James gave the hosts the lead midway through the first half after a poor attempted clearance from Plymouth defender Kaine Kesler-Hayden.
Less than 10 minutes later Dutch striker Joel Piroe slotted home his sixth league goal of the season as his side capitalised on another defensive error.
Substitute Ben Waine volleyed in to get one back for Plymouth late on as they then pushed for an unlikely equaliser.
However, the home side held on to continue their bid for automatic promotion, with the victory leaving them six points behind the top two Leicester and Ipswich.
In the first league meeting between the two sides since since April 2007, Leeds started the much stronger.
Within 20 minutes the home side had a penalty shout turned down, and top scorer Crysencio Summerville fired just wide of Michael Cooper’s net.
James and Piroe gave Leeds a convincing lead, with Plymouth offering very little in reply.
Following injuries to Plymouth’s main strikers Ryan Hardie and Mustapha Bundu last week, the away side opted to start without a centre forward.
However, in the second half manager Steven Schumacher made several substitutions, including the introduction of New Zealand forward Waine.
With less than 10 minutes to go, Plymouth midfielder Luke Cundle played a lovely cross into the box for Waine to fire home, setting up a tense finale at Elland Road.
Plymouth pushed for a late equaliser but failed to make the most of multiple corners, and defender Lewis Gibson was booked for a foul on Piroe as Leeds attempted to break away and grab a third.
Leeds United manager Daniel Farke told BBC Radio Leeds:
“When you are so dominant like we were in the first half, 2-0 up, we would’ve wished to score six or seven goals to win the game confidently. But there is also a good and brave opponent who plays with freedom.
“Our defending in many ways was excellent. We allowed them one chance. They were clinical, effective, and able to score that goal.
“We made our lives more complicated than it should’ve been after this performance, after creating so many chances.
“It’s three points. I can go home, and am happy.”
Plymouth Argyle manager Steven Schumacher told BBC Radio Devon:
“The only disappointing thing in the first half was the two errors we made right in front of our own box.
“We’ve paid the ultimate price for that, giving the ball away twice in two poor areas against a top team with quality players. That was the only thing I was disappointed about in the first half.
“We’ve come here and competed and that’s what we want to do, but unfortunately it’s gone against us again.
“When Ben Waine came on I thought he did well. He gave us that focal point at the top end, and we scored a great goal.”
Line-ups
Leeds
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1Meslier
- 22Gray
- 14Rodon
- 6Cooper
- 25ByramSubstituted forFirpoat 54′minutes
- 4Ampadu
- 8Kamara
- 20JamesSubstituted forGnontoat 78′minutes
- 7PiroeSubstituted forBamfordat 90+2′minutes
- 10SummervilleSubstituted forAnthonyat 78′minutes
- 24RutterSubstituted forGruevat 90+2′minutesBooked at 90mins
Substitutes
- 2Ayling
- 3Firpo
- 5Cresswell
- 9Bamford
- 12Anthony
- 27Poveda
- 28Darlow
- 29Gnonto
- 44Gruev
Plymouth
Formation 3-4-3
- 1Cooper
- 5PleguezueloSubstituted forEdwardsat 57′minutesBooked at 66mins
- 6Scarr
- 17GibsonBooked at 89mins
- 2Mumba
- 20RandellBooked at 33minsSubstituted forWaineat 57′minutes
- 4HoughtonSubstituted forButcherat 81′minutes
- 29Kesler-HaydenSubstituted forWrightat 75′minutes
- 10WhittakerBooked at 61mins
- 28Cundle
- 18AzazSubstituted forIssakaat 75′minutes
Substitutes
- 3Gillesphey
- 7Butcher
- 8Edwards
- 11Wright
- 16Warrington
- 19Wright
- 21Hazard
- 23Waine
- 35Issaka
- Referee:
- Josh Smith
- Attendance:
- 36,718
Live Text
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Match ends, Leeds United 2, Plymouth Argyle 1.
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Second Half ends, Leeds United 2, Plymouth Argyle 1.
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Corner, Leeds United. Conceded by Dan Scarr.
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Attempt blocked. Jaidon Anthony (Leeds United) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Archie Gray.
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Foul by Patrick Bamford (Leeds United).
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Joe Edwards (Plymouth Argyle) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Ilia Gruev (Leeds United) is shown the yellow card.
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Foul by Liam Cooper (Leeds United).
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Ben Waine (Plymouth Argyle) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Glen Kamara (Leeds United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Joe Edwards (Plymouth Argyle).
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Substitution, Leeds United. Ilia Gruev replaces Georginio Rutter.
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Substitution, Leeds United. Patrick Bamford replaces Joël Piroe.
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Attempt missed. Georginio Rutter (Leeds United) right footed shot from the centre of the box is too high.
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Lewis Gibson (Plymouth Argyle) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
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Joël Piroe (Leeds United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Foul by Lewis Gibson (Plymouth Argyle).
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Attempt missed. Ben Waine (Plymouth Argyle) header from very close range is just a bit too high. Assisted by Morgan Whittaker with a cross following a corner.
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Corner, Plymouth Argyle. Conceded by Joe Rodon.
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Corner, Plymouth Argyle. Conceded by Junior Firpo.
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